Building a Stronger Maritime Security Framework for PNG through Legislative Reform

Papua New Guinea’s maritime domain is vast and rich, spanning over 3.12 million square kilometers and holding resources essential to the nation’s economy and security. However, threats from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes are on the rise, underscoring the need for a proactive maritime security strategy capable of effectively monitoring, protecting, and responding to these challenges.

In 2013, PNG’s National Security Policy (NSP) laid the groundwork for a comprehensive, “whole-of-government” approach to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests. To bring the National Intelligence Organization (NIO) Act in line with the NSP’s goals, updating the Act is essential. This article outlines key legislative amendments to enhance PNG’s maritime security and contribute to a safe, resilient, and economically stable maritime domain.

One of the main tenets of the NSP is the need for strong Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) across PNG’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). MDA involves understanding, tracking, and monitoring activities within the EEZ, allowing PNG to protect its waters from threats proactively. However, limited intelligence resources make monitoring and tracking unauthorized activities challenging, as demonstrated in incidents like the illegal drug trade near Budi Budi Island. Updating Section 7 of the NIO Act to make maritime intelligence gathering a core function would give priority to MDA, aligning with the NSP’s commitment to national sovereignty. Proactive monitoring of PNG’s waters can reduce reliance on foreign resources, enabling timely responses to threats and protecting PNG’s valuable maritime resources.

Regional cooperation is another critical component for effective maritime security, as outlined in the NSP. PNG’s security in the Pacific depends on partnerships with allies such as Australia and the United States, and intelligence-sharing is crucial for managing threats that cross borders, like IUU fishing and smuggling. Although intelligence-sharing currently occurs on a case-by-case basis, the absence of formal structures in the NIO Act hinders consistent, structured collaborations. Modifying Section 11 to authorize formal intelligence-sharing agreements with regional partners would establish protocols for regular data exchange and allow PNG to build stronger partnerships in the Pacific, enhancing its reputation as a reliable maritime partner and supporting regional security.

Surveillance and law enforcement across PNG’s vast EEZ are essential components of effective maritime security. The NSP emphasizes the need for enforcing laws in PNG’s waters to maintain order and economic stability. However, limited resources make continuous maritime patrols challenging, particularly in remote areas. Expanding Section 20 of the NIO Act to allow for targeted, intelligence-driven surveillance on foreign vessels in high-risk areas within PNG’s EEZ would enable the NIO to conduct preemptive monitoring based on intelligence assessments, guiding PNGDF and Customs resources where they are most needed. This type of intelligence-driven enforcement would support the NSP’s mandate for law and order, deterring illegal activities and protecting PNG’s maritime resources.

The NSP calls for a “whole-of-government” approach, stressing the need for collaboration across agencies to address complex maritime security challenges. PNG’s maritime security issues are multifaceted, requiring the expertise of the NIO, the PNG Defence Force, Fisheries, Customs, and other regulatory bodies. Currently, maritime security efforts are fragmented, often leading to overlapping responsibilities and uncoordinated actions. Amending Section 4 of the NIO Act to require regular inter-agency briefings and collaborative frameworks would enhance coordination and ensure that each agency can contribute effectively to shared security goals. This cooperative approach would optimize PNG’s resources, streamline operations, and allow PNG to respond more efficiently to maritime threats.

In addition to traditional security concerns, the NSP recognizes that environmental and humanitarian threats are integral to PNG’s national security. Marine pollution, illegal waste dumping, and climate-related impacts on marine ecosystems are pressing issues that affect the well-being of PNG’s coastal communities and its marine biodiversity. Yet PNG’s current maritime security framework does not fully incorporate environmental threats or humanitarian issues. Updating Section 39 of the NIO Act to include environmental and humanitarian concerns as intelligence priorities would allow the NIO to conduct assessments on issues like marine pollution, illegal dumping, and disaster response. This alignment with the NSP’s vision for sustainable development would strengthen PNG’s ability to respond to ecological threats, enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems, and support community well-being.

Updating the NIO Act to incorporate these amendments is a crucial step for PNG’s national security. The proposed changes align the Act with the goals of the National Security Policy 2013, strengthening PNG’s ability to manage its maritime domain independently and assertively. By enhancing MDA, improving intelligence-sharing, expanding surveillance capabilities, coordinating inter-agency efforts, and addressing environmental concerns, PNG can secure its waters, protect its resources, and support sustainable economic development.

Policymakers are encouraged to prioritize these legislative updates to the NIO Act, ensuring PNG’s maritime security is equipped to handle modern threats. These reforms will not only secure PNG’s EEZ but also position the country as a proactive and responsible maritime leader in the Pacific. Through this strengthened framework, PNG can safeguard its sovereignty and foster a secure, sustainable future for its maritime domain.